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 Sep., 9o I while to illustrate the opportunities of the ob- servant traveller in passing through an unfa- miliar region. One who teaches in one field may learn in another without thereby forfeit- ing his right to serve other learners in the pro- cess. Facility in rapid field identification is a thing well worth striving for, even at the risk of certain minor inaccuracies which the careful local student could avoid. Indeed it seems to us that the line of vital progress is right here and that the ability to distinguish forty-nine species out of fifty 'on the wing' is worth more than the ability to determine the subspecific rank of fifty dead birds. Respectfully, W. LEON DAWSON. Columbus, O. THE CONDOR 33 [alco columbarius at Santa Clara, Cal. On October 8, 9oo, Mr. Win. L. At- kinson of this place collected a fine specimen of the Pigeon Hawk (Falco columbarius) just north of Santa Clara. The bird is a male in adult plumage, and was shot from a fence bordering a seed field, from which the hawk doubt- less secured its prey in the shape of various sparrows which frequent the field. C. BARLOW. Santa Clara, Cal. GENERAL NEWS NOTES. Walter E. Bryant has returned from a several months' trip to Guatemala and Central Amer- ica. Harry Beal Torrey of Berkeley has been appointed instructor in the zoological department of the University of California. Prof. Levererr M. Loomis, after a vacation in the East, has returned to his duties as curator in the department of ornithology of the California Academy of Sciences. Prof. Chas. R. Keyes has returned from a visit to his home in Mount Vernon, Ia., and is filling his chair at the University of California. John J. Williams has spent several months at Independence Lake during the summer, en- gaging in bird work as opportuuity offered. Walter K. Fisher, while engaged in Biological Survey work in Kern and Tulare counties in August, made a side trip to the Sequoia National Park, camping on Alta Peak at ,ooo feet alti- tude. Richard C. McGregor writes from Dutch Harbor, Alaska under date of June 28, that he is pursuing ornithology in addition to his Coast survey work, having some 30o skins and some in- teresting sets of eggs up to the time of writing. Prof. F, E. L. Beal and W. Otto Emerson are enj)ying a ten days' collecting trip at Pacific Grove. Professor Beal has covered a greater portion of the fruit districts of the state during his stay in California. Robert E. Shodgrass has been serving as a member of a Commission specially appointed by the California Fish Commission to determine the food of the seals and sea-lions occurring along the Californian coast. Fishermen have steadily accused these interesting animals of destroying food fishes, but the work of the commission thus far has nor concurred in the charge. Mr. Arthur L. Bolton, prominently known as a member of the Cooper Ornithological Club, was united in marriage to Miss Mae Saylor at Tempe, Ariz., on July 20. Mr. Bolton ormerly re- sided at Berkeley, Cal., where his earnest and unassuming method of work won for him many friend, who extend their crdial well wishes. Mr. Boltou is now permanently located at Temp. The occurrence of specimens of the California Vulture is always of interest, so we borrow the following from a recent letter from Mr. F. S. Daggett: "A handsome big condor lit not 50 feet from Chas, Groesbeck while he was ploughing his orange orchard. The bird did not wait long enough for him to get a pinch of salt or a gun. Now Charley plows with a full arsenal strapped to his plough. He even contemplates killing one of his horses and hiding in a pit nearby, but the Southern Division Cooper Club members have sent in so many applications for reserved seats he has decided to postpone the capture." Miss Jean Bell of Ridley Park, Pa, has disposed of her superb collectiou of bird.*,' eggs to John Lewis Childs of Floral Park, N, Y. In acquiring this collection Mr. Childs becomes the posses- sor of what is undoubtedly the finest private collection of North American birds' eggs in exist- ence. Miss Bell devoted much time and money to the work of building up the collection, and mot of the sets of little-known and rare species taken in re'ent yem by field workers found their way into her collection. Doubtless Mr. Childs will continue the same policy, so that the collection will not be surpassed in years to come. Mr, J. Parker Norris Jr's warbler series will likewise probably remain the fines[ in America.